Party | Candidate | Votes | Percent | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | Bruce-Gardyne, John | 26,795 | 59.6% | +8.6% | |
Labour | Barton, Alan | 8,992 | 20% | -2.6% | |
Liberal | Ingham, Robert | 8,499 | 18.9% | -7.5% | |
Independent Conservative | Brown, J | 690 | 1.5% | N/A | |
Majority | 17,803 | 39.6% | +15% | Turnout | 44,976 | 78% | 1.2% | Swing | +5.6% | Note: These results are in comparison to the previous General Election, not the 1 March 1979 by-election |